Absence of arid conditions at Shum Laka rock shelter (Bamenda-Western Cameroon) since 30,000 year B.P.
1998
Moeyersons, J. (Musee royal de l'Afrique centrale, Tervuren (Belgium))
It is generally accepted that the southern border of the Sahara shifted far to the south during the last glacial maximum in Europe. However, at Shum Laka rock shelter (Western Cameroon), geomorphological and palaeobotanical evidence confirms the absence of arid conditions between 30,000 and 12,000 year B.P. (before the present). Instead, this mountainous area (1,650-2,000 m Above Sea Level) carried an open mountain forest, with galleries along the water courses and grassy patches on the interfluves. Temperature did not fall significantly below freezing point. Annual precipitation values were not very different from today : they lowered slightly after 20,000 year B.P. and have risen again since about 13,000 year B.P. The absence of arid conditions during this period might be explained by the localization of the site on a south-westward looking 800 m high escarpment zone.
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